Barrel-head



(No Model.)

J. P. ADAMS. BARREL HEAD.

No. 588,763. Patented Aug. 24,1897.

l Oil;

lav-vw UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES F. ADAMS, OF HUBERT, GEORGIA.

BARREL-HEAD.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters) Patent No. 588,763, dated August 24, 1897. Application fiie'dhgua 1,1896. y Senn No. 601,388. (No model.)

T @ZZ wir/ont it may concern- -Be it known that I, J AMES F. ADAMS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Hubert,

in the county of Bulloch and State of Georgia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Barrel-Heads and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention is an improvement in barrelheads 5 and it consists in the novel features of construction and combination of parts hereinafter described, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate one form in which I have contemplated embodying my invention, and said invention is fully disclosed in the following description and l claims.

AReferring to the said drawings, Figure 1 represents a perspective view of my improved barrel-head, showing it in position in a barrel, a portion of the barrel being represented in section. Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view of the upper portion of a barrel and my improved head in operative position. Fig. 3 is a similar sectional view taken at right angles to the line of section in Fig. 2.

In the drawings, 1 represents the barrelhead proper, which consists of a disk, preferably of wood. The head proper is provided adjacent to its periphery with a number of segmental plates 11, adapted to be moved so as to project beyond the head 1 and having their ends overlapping each other. lIn this instance I have shown four of such segmental plates, which are preferably made of metal and are sufliciently thin to enter the chime or groove in the barrel. Guides 4 and l2 are secured to the head and have portions eX- tending over the Asegmental plates, so as to prevent them from disengaging the head 1, but permitting the said plates to move horizontally. The guides 4 are inL this instance formed on the opposite ends of a bar 3, eX-

tending diametrically across the head 1, as

shown, said bar being in this instance provided with a central aperture. I also provide means for moving said segmental plates inwardly and outwardly, consisting in this instance of arched plates 9 and 10, each connected at eachend to one of said segmental plates and each provided with a central aperture. A screw-shaft 5 passes vertically through the apertures in the said arched plates 9' 10 and through the plate 4and the head 1 and engages screw-threaded portions provided in the plate 4 or in a plate 2, secured to the underside of the head 1. The screw-shaft is provided with a shoulder above and also below the arched plates 9 and 10, consisting in this instance of nuts 7 7,50 that when said screw-shaft 5 is turned it will be moved up or down, carrying with it the central portions of the arched plates 9 and 10, and thereby moving the segmental plates outwardly or inwardly, as desired. rlhe shaft 5 is also provided with means for turning it-in this instance a crossbar 6.

In order that the device may be held in the top of the barrel in exactly such a position that the segmental plates will enter the chime of the barrel, I provide the head 1 with supporting devices for engaging the top of the barrel and holdingit in the position desired. In this instance I have shown these supporting devices 14 14 formed as integral parts of the bar 3, on the ends of which are the guides 44, but it is obvious that they might be made separate, and these supports have horizontal portions for engaging the top of the barrel, which are the saine distance above the segmental plates 11 as the distance between the chime and the top of the barrel.

In using the device the segmental plates are drawn inwardly and it is placed upon the top of a barrel, with the supporting devices 14 14 resting upon the top edge of the barrel. In this position the segmental plates will lie in the plane of the chime, and by turning the screw-shaft 5 the said plates will be forced outwardly radially into the chime of the barrel. This forms a very tight cover for the barrel and prevents the device from being lifted out without iirstl drawing in the segmental plates.

The supporting devices 14 14 perform an important function in the use o'f the device, as without it the operator would have' to use both hands and use considerable care to hold the device in such a way that the segmental plates would enter the chime. By the use of IOO the said supporting devices, however, this is avoided. The device is simply placed on the barrel and the screw-shaft turned, and this can be done quickly and Without giving i any thought or attention.

What I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. In an expanding barrel-head, the combination With the head proper, the segmental plates and means for moving said plates toward and from the center of said head, of the supporting devices secured to said head and adapted to engage the top edge of the barrel, substantially as described.

2. In an expanding barrel-head, the combination with the head proper, of segmental plates adapted to enter the chime of the barrel, means for moving said plates toward and from the center of said head, and the supporting devices having horizontal portions extending beyond said head, and located a distance above said segmental plates, equal to the distance between the chime and the adjacent edge of the barrel, substantially as described.

3. In an expanding barrel-head, the combination with the head proper, of the segmental plates, guides for said plates, provided with integral horizontal portions projecting be* yond said head, and located above said plates 'a distance yequal to the distance from the chime to the adjacent edge of the barrel and means for moving said plates toward and from the center of said head, substantially as described.

4. In an expanding barrel-head, the combination With the head proper, of the segmental plates, a central screw-shaft perpendicular to said head, curved spring-plates engaging said screw-shaft and having their outer ends connected to said plates, and supporting devices secured to said head having horizontal portions extending beyond said head and located a distance above said segmental plates equal to the distance between the chime and the adjacent edge of the barrel, substantially as described.

5. A barrel-head having segmental plates slidingly mounted upon the top surface thereof adjacent to its outer edges, guides secured to said head beneath which said segmental plates move, a screw-bolt mounted centrally of said head, stop-nuts on said bolt, curved spring-plates connected at their central points to said bolt, litt-ing between said stop-nuts and connected at their outer ends to said segmental plates and a handle on said bolt Where` by the same may be turned, substantially as and for the purpose described.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification in the presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

JAMES F. ADAMS.

lVitnesses:

T. O. STEEDMAN, C. L. KNIGHT. 

